Urus is a cluster of three summits on the north side of the Quebrada Ishinca, and the eastern top is the one climbers normally visit. From the grassy base camp at around 4,350 m the route gains the summit in four to six hours, first up a steep trail and rocky slopes and finally across a short glacier to a snow summit.
The climb has very little objective hazard and only brief sections where crampons are essential, which makes it an excellent place to learn the rhythm of an alpine start without a long, committing day. The exposure on the final ridge is modest but gives a real summit feeling.
The main attraction is the view: Tocllaraju's elegant west ridge, the wide glacier of Ishinca, Ranrapalca's north face and Palcaraju fill the horizon. Many climbers combine Urus with Ishinca over four or five days, or add Tocllaraju for a full week in the valley.
